Where Can I Buy Color Blind Prescription Glasses

You are here: Home / Assistive Devices / 5 Best Glasses for Color Blind People in 2021

Color blindness is an often-inherited vision condition that interferes with the ability to see color normally. The most common color deficiency involves greens and reds, while a less common variant affects blues and yellows.

Just like the colors involved vary, so does the severity of the condition. Some people only have trouble in low light situations, while others have difficulties regardless of lighting.

While there is no cure for color blindness, there are special glasses available to help with color distinction.

These contain uniquely crafted lenses with a special tint to help people with color deficiency distinguish hues more easily. This is often done by filtering out certain wavelengths of light, improving contrast. This enables the wearer to better perceive and discriminate colors.

Our Top Pick

EnChroma Color Blind Sunglasses

If you're interested in trying out a pair of colorblind glasses, here are a few great options on the market.

1. EnChroma Color Blind Sunglasses

EnChroma's color blind sunglasses contain cutting-edge technology to improve outcomes for people with a range of visual color deficiencies.

The company offers both indoor and outdoor lenses. EnChroma's lenses are designed for those with red-green colorblindness only, so they are unlikely to work for those with blue-yellow problems. Their lenses offer 100% ultraviolet protection, are scratch-resistant, have an anti-reflective coating and can be ordered with or without prescription.

Though the company is based in Berkeley, CA, some of their products are Italian-made, including these sunglasses. Their styles are stylish and can be worn over contact lenses if need be. The high-quality lenses and frames do drive up the cost of these glasses.

EnChroma studies: https://health.ucdavis.edu/health-news/newsroom/study-finds-that-special-filters-in-glasses-can-help-the-color-blind-see-colors-better/2020/07

2. Pilestone Red Green Colorblind Glasses

Pilestone glasses offer several lens options depending on the type of colorblindness. This particular pair comes with lens type B, which is a universal, indoor-outdoor, red-green deficiency lens. Lens types A, B, C and D are for various types of red-green deficiency. Lens type E is for blue-yellow deficiency.

Their lens guide helps to figure out which lens will work best for a particular individual. Lenses can be ordered with or without a prescription. Some are suitable for both indoor and outdoor wear, while others are intended for indoor use only. They are fashionable and one of the most cost-effective options available.

3. Vino Optics Color Blindness Glasses

Vino Optics makes several styles of frames, including one that fits over another pair of glasses. Many of their frames are lightweight and sporty, making them ideal for physical activity. Their lenses provide ultraviolet (UV) protection.

While these glasses are particularly successful at combating the common red-green color deficiency, they don't correct the rarer blue-yellow color deficiency. Their bright lavender lenses stand out in a crowd and may be impractical for daily wear.

4. Pilestone Clip-On Corrective Lenses

This option provides colorblind correction in the form of a clip-on lens. This is ideal for those who typically wear glasses, allowing them to utilize their existing frame and correction, while simultaneously enhancing color perception.

5. STBJ Color Blind Glasses

The STBJ color blind glasses are designed to reduce the effects of red-green vision deficiencies, while adding sharpness and clarity. While they can be worn indoors or outdoors, they produce the strongest effect in a brighter environment.

In addition to the over-the-counter options discussed above, there is a company called Colormax that offers a patented system called ColorCorrection. This requires an eye exam with color vision testing to create glasses or contact lenses that are custom-made for an individual's specific color deficiency.

Pros and Cons of Color Blind Glasses

Colorblind glasses can greatly improve the quality of life of those who experience color deficiency. They can provide a greater array of color schemes, as well as a deeper vibrancy. This can be helpful in daily activities, such as matching clothing items when getting dressed, cooking meat or selecting fruit at the grocery store. Proper color discrimination can even open up new career options!

Unfortunately, because color deficiency is so variable and unique, colorblind glasses are not effective for everyone. Several companies, such as EnChroma, do offer a 60-day return policy, in the case that their products are not helpful. It is important to keep in mind that most of the colorblind glasses available work better at correcting red-green deficiencies than blue-yellow.

For some people, colorblind glasses may be prohibitively expensive; some wearers have indicated that the most affordable options on the market scratch easily and need to be replaced frequently.

While colorblindness is a permanent condition that cannot be cured, colorblind glasses can help to improve color perception and discrimination, ultimately enhancing quality of life.

First time reactions to colorblind glasses

We'll be updating this post with reactions as we come across them, because we think it's helpful that people actually see how much a difference these glasses can make for people who are colorblind.

Addiitonal Resources:

We Are Colorblind: Resources

This post was reviewed and updated by Sara N. Frye, OD, MPH, FAAO. She holds multiple licensures including 11 years of experience as an optometrist. You can read more about her here.